Shaping a Quenelle

A quenelle is a smooth, three-sided oval of ice cream, mousse or whipped cream. Dip a tablespoon in hot water and shake it off. Hold the container at an angle and drag the spoon toward you across the surface, rotating your wrist so the mixture curls up inside the bowl of the spoon into a neat oval. To place it, tilt the spoon and let it slide off onto the plate. The one-spoon method takes practice; with two spoons, pass the mixture back and forth until all three sides are smooth.